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Catttt Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary
above board
Does the highlighted sentence containing "above board" mean:
1. obviously, everything is planned and under control.
2. obviously, what we see (the runners) is the very artwork that is intended.
I’m sauntering through the Duveen Galleries of Tate Britain on a weekday afternoon. The last time I was here the ramshackle assembly of ‘signage’ that was Mark Wallinger’s State Britain 2007 shambled its way some 40 metres straight down the middle of this neoclassical exhibition hall.Now there appears to be nothing at all on display and I’m just reflecting on how bare and ‘tidied up’ the galleries are looking by comparison, when the figure of a young man with reddish hair flashes by me from behind. On he runs, looking as though he’s bursting a gut, every so often checking his stride with a slight, shuffling sidestep so as to avoid any collisions with pillar or person. A few moments later he’s gone, slipping deftly round a corner at the end of the galleries. Whatwas that? Before there’s time to contemplate that question, another figure pops up near the entrance of the museum. A young woman this time whose rhythm is more measured: a smooth, considered action that gives her plenty of time to anticipate any obstacles. Serene face, elegant. Used to running distances perhaps. There aren’t too many visitors about today but, like me, they’ve all stopped in their tracks, a look of slight puzzlement on their faces. Is this supposed to be happening? Two gallery attendants at either end of the galleries calmly monitor the situation, ambling up and down, keeping an eye out for potential blockages. So, it must be above board. As if to confirm this another runner emerges. This one’s going hell for leather, his straining face tilted to one side, as if being pulled by an invisible force attracted specifically to his right shoulder.
1. obviously, everything is planned and under control.
2. obviously, what we see (the runners) is the very artwork that is intended.
I’m sauntering through the Duveen Galleries of Tate Britain on a weekday afternoon. The last time I was here the ramshackle assembly of ‘signage’ that was Mark Wallinger’s State Britain 2007 shambled its way some 40 metres straight down the middle of this neoclassical exhibition hall.Now there appears to be nothing at all on display and I’m just reflecting on how bare and ‘tidied up’ the galleries are looking by comparison, when the figure of a young man with reddish hair flashes by me from behind. On he runs, looking as though he’s bursting a gut, every so often checking his stride with a slight, shuffling sidestep so as to avoid any collisions with pillar or person. A few moments later he’s gone, slipping deftly round a corner at the end of the galleries. Whatwas that? Before there’s time to contemplate that question, another figure pops up near the entrance of the museum. A young woman this time whose rhythm is more measured: a smooth, considered action that gives her plenty of time to anticipate any obstacles. Serene face, elegant. Used to running distances perhaps. There aren’t too many visitors about today but, like me, they’ve all stopped in their tracks, a look of slight puzzlement on their faces. Is this supposed to be happening? Two gallery attendants at either end of the galleries calmly monitor the situation, ambling up and down, keeping an eye out for potential blockages. So, it must be above board. As if to confirm this another runner emerges. This one’s going hell for leather, his straining face tilted to one side, as if being pulled by an invisible force attracted specifically to his right shoulder.
Top answer
Hi Here, it means: legitimate, acceptable, within the rules It is quite an old metaphor (17th century) and it refers to card-playing. A dishonest card-player might move his hand beneath the card-playing table (the board) so as to switch his cards for some false ones that he has hidden. If you are satisfied that nothing like that has happened then everything is above board The writer was wondering whether the performance art was part of the gallery's program or whether it was some rogue activists who were performing unofficially, without permission Dave
- Hi Here, it means: legitimate, acceptable, within the rules It is quite an old metaphor (17th century) and it refers to card-playing.
- A dishonest card-player might move his hand beneath the card-playing table (the board) so as to switch his cards for some false ones that he has hidden.
- If you are satisfied that nothing like that has happened then everything is above board The writer was wondering whether the performance art was part of the gallery's program or whether it was some rogue activists who were performing unofficially, without permission Dave
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2 Answers
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Hi
Here, it means: legitimate, acceptable, within the rules
It is quite an old metaphor (17th century) and it refers to card-playing. A dishonest card-player might move his hand beneath the card-playing table (the board) so as to switch his cards for some false ones that he has hidden. If you are satisfied that nothing like that has happened then everything is above board
Here, it means: legitimate, acceptable, within the rules
It is quite an old metaphor (17th century) and it refers to card-playing. A dishonest card-player might move his hand beneath the card-playing table (the board) so as to switch his cards for some false ones that he has hidden. If you are satisfied that nothing like that has happened then everything is above board
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